Monthly Archives: April 2011

                The True Finns suprised the complacent EU establishment with their strong showing in the election. They immediately had to offer interviews to assure everyone they are “not extremists”, anticipating a welter of vituperative commentary from those who dislike Euro scepticism.             I do  not support their whole programme – nor am I a [...]

                 It is conventional wisdom in all political parties to say that the cuts should be concentrated on the administrative overhead. Front line staff should be spared the cuts.  I have said this myself. No-one wants to be hounded as a  nurse sacker or a doctor reducer or a teacher cutter. Save our schools [...]

          During the last election I was careful to explain the poor state of the nation’s finances, and to say when challenged to back some new local spending project that it would be very unlikely to take place whoever won, because the financial position was so dire.         I have to confess I was wrong [...]

                 In 1997 the UK had the best private sector pensions schemes of any European country. We led the world in saving and providing for retirement out of funds that employers and employees put to one side for old age.               Labour’s tax attack started the rot. Funds that were solvent, with plenty of [...]

           I do not agree with all the long breaks we have from Parliament. The changes to the situation in LIbya and the new data about the Uk economy would be useful items to discuss, to ask the government for its latest thoughts.            I do not agree, however, that Parliament needs to meet to [...]

                The last few days have shown us that the Uk economy is generating a good number of private sector jobs. They also reveal that most of these go to a growing workforce, and do not go to those on unemployment benefit. It shows that the welfare reforms and the help with skills and [...]

                      Today the Prime Minister takes time out from his efforts to lead NATO’s response to Libya and the UN to talk to us about immigration.                     His general theme will be popular with many. He wants good immigration, not mass immigration. The question is, are Ministers now delivering this?                      Most people agree [...]

                  The UN resolution that the UK government helped secure charges UN countries to impose a No fly zone on Libyan government forces so they cannot harm their citizens from the air. It has also been interpreted as allowing UN aircraft to take action against tanks and other offensive weaponry of the Libyan government [...]

                      I wish to examine the curious case of the possible resignation of Mr Norman  Lamb. Many people will not have known until the last couple of days the importance of Mr Lamb. He is a trusted adviser to the Deputy Prime Minister. He is a Lib Dem NHS expert, who has said that [...]

             Listening to Mr Clegg this morning, I was struck by the central paradox. He said the most important thing the government was doing was a short term fix to cut the deficit. He rightly argued that getting on top of the deficit was essential for economic growth and stability in the future.  At [...]